HAP40 vs ZDP-189?

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
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I've been revving myself up to finally get a ZDP Endura, but this is also the optimal time to snag the current sprint run in HAP40. Most of the info I can find compares HAP40 to M4, but I'm curious as to how ZDP compares.

What are the pros and cons of each, respectively?
 
M4 would be HAP-40's closest cousin on paper, but how it performs could be quite different.

Comparing M4 to ZDP-189 is apples to oranges. ZDP can be hardened quite high while exhibiting good wear resistance, but can be brittle and will have a low amount of toughness. M4 has a great balance of wear resistance and toughness (even at a high hardness), at the cost of corrosion resistance. However, ZDP a isn't very corrosion resistant either since it has a large amount of carbon.
 
So, ZDP would offer higher wear resistance but with increased brittleness, whereas HAP40 would offer lower wear resistance with a more balanced set of characteristics overall?

Provided I'm no hacking away at stuff and am just looking for a high-wear-resistance steel, would ZDP be the wiser choice? I'm also a little concerned about QC, as older Endura models have quickly developed play and/or centering issues in my past experience. Heck, my waved Endura would even bounce back closed out of the lock about 50% of the time when waving it open.

Given that both are in the same general price range, and that I'm not super likely to notice one or two points of hardness in my day-to-day usage, it seems like I should go for the HAP40 so I'll know I'm getting a current gen Endura with better QC and still get an interesting steel in the 62+ HRC range.
 
Is there any info out there as to the general hardness range Spyderco runs these steels at? I've seen a couple mentions of 64 for ZDP, but not much for HAP40. I should probably cross post this in the Spyderco sub forum.
 
Spyderco has not divulged hardness of any blade for years. Some dealers give hardness values, but they do not come from Spyderco.
 
Rasco said:
How do you feel about Spyderco's S110V offerings...?
Click to expand...


Had a 110V Forum Native. Liked it, but it was a wee bit small.
I then snagged a 110V Manix. I'll wait for the G10 version and pick that one up.
I have a 110V PM2 En Route, which is the first time I've given a PM2 a real shot since 2012.

I really like the Manix platform from a utility standpoint, so the G10 110V will probably be a keeper. The PM2 is a gamble, but it's in high demand and I can just trade it or sell it if I'm not keen on it.

I think my main issue with all of the 110V offerings to date is that I like wharncliffe and sheepsfoot blade profiles for utility cutting - which is where I think 110V shines - and they haven't put a 110V blade out in that shape yet. The Endura would be an instant buy, and if their upcoming G10 Endura ships with 10V, 110V, 4V, or any of the other absolutely ridiculously wear-resistant steels, I'll probably have two Enduras for a while (until I sell the one I find I prefer less, because I don't need two...)
 
Im contemplating a hap40 delica...... if its ANYTHING like M4 it's gotta be awesome stuff
 
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